Trigeminal Neuralgia & Tooth Pain

Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes a disruption in the trigeminal nerve in the face that may result in excruciating facial pain and tooth pain. Tooth pain can have other causes and should be evaluated by a dentist.

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Tooth Pain

According to MedlinePlus, tooth pain may result from an abscessed tooth, tooth decay or an injury to the mouth or jaw.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with trigeminal neuralgia may experience severe shooting pain in the teeth and face, mild twinges of facial pain or pain on one side of the face. Pain may last for a few seconds and episodes can last for days or weeks at a time.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Triggers

Pain from trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by brushing teeth, eating or drinking. Shaving, stroking the face or putting on makeup can bring on pain from this disorder.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Testing

A doctor may perform a physical examination to determine the triggers of facial pain in a patient and he may use a magnetic resonance imaging test to determine the source of pain.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

Physicians may prescribe medications to reduce pain from trigeminal neuralgia attacks such as anticonvulsants or antispasticity agents. Surgery or radiation treatment of the trigeminal nerve may be used to treat severe cases of this disorder.